The kiss, The Kiss she doesn't break only returns as much as she can use her lips she uses them to tell how much she meant it, caressing his face with her fingertips now that he holds her arm and hand for her. Everything feels so easy now! Light and bright and without a taste of bitterness. If there was rain clouding their sky - it stops. If there was a storm in their souls that stole nights' peace from them - it's quit.Only smile and laughter remain, again they are those excited sixteen year olds, in a very old house they begin to re-live their youth, being reborn in each other's arms. What he planned to do, to leave for upstairs seemingly falls out of his head and they are so burried into their private summer they don't even notice Francis returning from her babysitting, nor her polite leaving through the same door, once she wrote a joyful post-it, sticking it on the fridge.

'Congratulations, kids :) See you in the morning. Love: Mom'

She always leaves notes signing like this to Alliana. This was the most she could give to her. And what she saw at the foot of the stairs was the most she could hope.

Slowly separating from the most wonderful kiss he ever experienced there was no sadness only joy knowing that her lips were for him and his for her. With stars dancing before his eyes, he looks into her eyes and says, “That was so magical. You are so beautiful.” Nothing exists but her right now. The house could crash around them and as long as she is in his arms he is content.

As the clock strikes midnight he pulls back slightly, “It is getting late for us both, can escort you to your room?” Feeling much like he did when he was in High School, all awkward with words and fumbling for meaning. It has been so long since he held or so much as even kissed a woman much less one as beautiful as Alliana, he was so unsure of himself.

Just like Allie doubted herself, in every second moment, especially when he gave her that look.Something like this never happened in that house since they lived together. Such a late hour and Francis nowhere!... Of course, Michael was perfectly able to do everything around her to prepare their fairy-girl for the night but now that events took a strange turn like this even the most earthly acts between them were spiced with something very special.

She pulls back too, confusion and a little embarrassment spoiling these most precious moments as she finds her favourite nun is still out. Somewhere else..."I... Whrr isss Frra ann?? I needd her hel pp."But that post-it is still striking there on the door of the fridge, waiting for one of them to find.And so Life didn't let her slip away just because she needed a little extra care. Wise Francis Keller knew why her daughter kept her distance and worries deep in her heart instead of simply returning Doctor Austin's feelings. She knew exactly how ashamed Alliana felt because of her condition -also because it was her who generated that once- and that she would have been able to see him choose somebody else only to avoid becoming a burden on his carrier. So she had to do something - and she did...

Concern and uncertainty crosses his face as she pulls away before it occurs to him her concern and he blushes, “No..No, I …I didn’t mean….I am sorry I simply meant to walk you to your room. I will fetch Fran. I am sure she is here somewhere.” The moment evaporates before their eyes Michael stands but his hands never leave her, “Let me get Fran.”

Walking to Fran’s room he knocks gently on her door, he says “Fran?” Strange that she would not answer normally she is quick to answer. Walking back from her room with a confused look on his face, he looks to Alliana, “She is not in her room. She should have been back from babysitting by now.” Concern grows in his voice as he paces through the house calling out her name. Making his way to the kitchen he catches the note from the corner of his eye. Pulling the note from the door he reads the note and reads it a second time. His cheeks turn deep red as realization sets in what it means. He walks slowly to back to Alliana with a half a smile on his lips. Handing her the note he says, “I don’t think she will be home tonight.”

For long moments she's just staring at the small piece of paper between her slightly trembling fingers, its vivid yellow and Francis' nicely formed letters capturing her gaze... - that half-smile is there, on her face too, now that the nun's plan is finally revealed. "It'sss bcauss I..... I thoghttt... u coulld nevrr lovv a womannn likkk me."Alliana confesses. No matter how much it shocks him, hurts him, surprises him, Michael has the right to know the truth, all her silly fears, her worries about their future together."I knoww u arrr a docttor.. but it'sss ntt romanti ccc at a lll..." - she quits speaking then, dropping her head back against the headrest, like a climber who finally reached the peak of the mountain. From this point things can only get easier, she sighs, closing her eyes, still to escape from reality...

“Alliana” he whispers and takes her chin in his hands, “I want to be with you, I love you!. I want to be a part of your life for as long as you want me.” He stares into her fearful eyes, “There is nothing to be scared of. Romantic? How is not holding you on the balcony under the stars not romantic? Or holding you on the terrace?” He flashes her a warm smile, “and the most wonderful part is I am holding you close to me.” He pulls her close and gives her a tender kiss. “I have fears as well, but to be with you is worth the risk of my fears.” He gently kisses her again with such compassion. The music from their lips is a symphony to his ears.

Yet she hissed and turned her face away, upset or no: rather frustrated, her left fist hitting the armrest helplessly. Only once - but that expressed everything."But couplsss wan tttt to walk unnn ddd rr thhh sta asss, Mikk!"When she was stressed her tongue still tended to let her down more and so by the end of her outburst Allie's words crashed on each other, melting into an unrecognisable cloud of things to say and nervously she turned the chair away from him, beginning to ride towards the main door.Away, away!...

- That was the first time when he saw it. A greenish sticker close to one of the motoric wheels, quite low, just above the floor. Who could place it there, and why??...

Incredibly confused by her frustration, he stammers to try to explain but ends up simply sitting there quietly unsure of himself. He tries to explain that he loves her for who she is but he is confused and it has been so long since he has been in any situation even close to this.

Realizing where she is headed he jumps to stop her noting briefly the sticker. “Alliana wait.” He pleads, “I am sorry, I know Fran has a cell phone, I can call her to come home but please don’t leave.” The sadness in his voice was apparent from the turn of events but the last thing he wanted was her leaving the house. “I cannot say that I understand how you feel. I can’t, but I can say that I would do everything I can to have the best therapists work with you to help as much as I can. Whether that is enough for you is for you to decide. Please”

Giving in at last she stops, leaning above the armrest she rubs her face with her left fingers.Enough! Enough!...Pondering then, searching for a few words to make things right again, to bring back The Mood they were fighting so hard to reach her lips begin to move even before she speaks.All right then...Slowly she turns back to him - that pander smile hiding in the corner of her mouth again, she's Alliana again, yes!"U'rrr right.. We cannn still wakkk undrr the starrs.. You'll walll k and I'll wwatch."

To call Fran and report and emergency would have been the greatest mistake lovers could ever commit...

His smile glows once again as she talks of watching the starts. “Alliana, as I said we are both scared of what the future may hold for us. I simply want to enjoy each day we have together whatever that may be.” He knelt again in front of her and took her hands gently into his. Rubbing them reassuringly he brings them to his lips and kisses each hand lightly. “I can sense you are a little uncomfortable, where as before you were not. If you prefer I not take you to your room, I will understand.” He was treading carefully, not wanting to push her away again.

With a mischievous smile she leaned closer, and focusing hard her soft lips planted a long kiss on his forehead - months before she wouldn't have been able to do such a stunt but growing in Fran's loving attention and this man's perfect care everything seemd possible - especially now, standing at the other side of the door called love."Pllse ddo take me."This was her magic word to chase those worries far away, so far that they could never return. This was Alliana's first 'I do' by his side and for the first time she was grateful not having Francis at home with them. Great souls know when to leave and when to come back. The fact this night she only had him to help her was replaced by another: this was their first night together as a couple.

His entire being glows with delight with her allowing him to escort her to her room. Gliding her chair to the doorway of her room stopping only just inside the door frame. With the chair locked he cautiously at first goes to lift her from her chair. As he lifts her to his chest his love and care overshadow and further cautiousness that he has left.

Walking to her bed he gently sets her down onto her bed, his eyes lock onto hers. Slowly his face grows nearer to hers until they are but only a breath away from her lips. With a steadying breath he closes the distance to their lips touch, the softness of her touch flows through his body.

As much as she could, strengthened by her feelings, Alliana wrapped her left arm around him - never wanting to let go, once they were standing at the end of their hard journey, finally."Wll u stay witth me?" She whispered, this time weakening by her feelings, by his presence, breathing in the warmth their love created, faces touching, lips touching, souls entwining.Time seemed to stop, spaces melting into one, gates opening.

With a whisper he replies, “Of course I will, nothing on this Earth would make me happier.” Their lips touching again, his arms embrace her lovingly guiding his way to lie next to her. He silently sighs into her lips as he body settles next to hers. His heart rages inside him just to be this close to her and to feel love once again be returned was almost more than he could bear. He can feel the heat light up his cheeks with their touch. The magic of that moment would live within his heart for the rest of his life.